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Labour leader says Carlisle Civic Centre could become four-star hotel

A joint council HQ in Botchergate could allow Carlisle Civic Centre to be converted into a four-star hotel.

Joe Hendry outside the Civic Centre

That is the view of Dr Joe Hendry, leader of the city council’s opposition Labour group, who is hoping to become council leader after the May elections.

He says the regeneration of Botchergate will be a top priority and that the city council can help by moving there, alongside the proposed Cumbria County Council base on the Cecil Street/William Street car parks.

His other ideas include building an Olympic-length swimming pool at Morton, developing a transport interchange at the Citadel railway station and opening a modern-art gallery in conjunction with the Tate.

Dr Hendry backs Carlisle United’s proposed move to Kingmoor Park, would like to see Primark open in the city and says the council should put in “pump priming” money to set up a theatre/arts centre.

He has set out his stall ahead of elections on May 3 that could see Labour take control of the hung council for the first time since 1999.

Speaking to The Cumberland News today, he said: “I would like to start a conversation about the future of the city and the place we want it to be in 10 or 15 years’ time.”

Have your say

Demolish the Civic. What the city needs is a good bus station and that would be a good site to build one.

Posted by King Sov on
1 March 2012 at 07:30

Why not convert the Civic Centre into a much needed City centre Police Station? Maybe the crime rate might fall then. If another Hotel is needed, then reopen the derelict one that is near Tesco and B&M Bargains. I am given to understand that this was a 4 star Hotel in it's heyday. Incidentally, have you noticed that the Civic Centre car park has no potholes? Why can the same not be said for the roads in and around Carlisle? I rest my case!